Massasoit alum Jim Craig inducted into NJCAA Hall of Fame

Massasoit Community College alumnus Jim Craig was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame on June 17, according to a community announcement.

Massasoit President Bill Mitchell accepted the honor on Craig’s behalf at a ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Craig joined the Massasoit Warriors Hockey Team in 1975 after graduating from Oliver Ames High School in Easton. At Massasoit, he was coached by Neil Higgins, a former star goalie for Boston College. After a successful season, during which the Warriors Hockey team won the Region XXI (New England) Championship, Craig was offered a scholarship to Boston University, where he went on to win an NCAA national championship.

In 1980, he became an American sports hero when his standout performance in goal helped the U.S. defeat the Soviet Union in the famous “Miracle on Ice” game en route to a gold medal victory over Finland.

“When I think about the path my life has taken, it’s impossible not to start at Massasoit. It was more than just a college — it was the foundation,” Craig said in the announcement. “Massasoit gave me a second chance, the belief in myself, and the opportunity to develop as a student, an athlete, and a teammate. It prepared me not only for Boston University, but for everything that came after — including the 1980 Olympics.”

“I’m incredibly honored to be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame, and grateful that my journey began at a place that believed in potential over pedigree,” Craig continued. “My sincere thanks to Massasoit and to Bill Mitchell for accepting this honor on my behalf.”

After competing in the 1980 Olympics, Craig went on to play in the NHL and was enshrined in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame. His post-hockey career has been one of tremendous success, having become a business leader in sales, marketing, consulting and motivational speaking. He is the co-author of two books: “Gold Medal Strategies: Business Lessons from America’s Miracle Team” and “We Win! Lessons on Life, Business & Building Your Own Miracle Team.”

“We are proud that Massasoit played an early role in Jim Craig’s legendary and heroic hockey and professional careers,” Mitchell said in the announcement. “This honor from the NJCAA is a reflection of how a Massasoit education and a team experience on the field, ice, or court can change lives.”

Craig is the fifth former Massasoit student-athlete or coach to be inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. Other Warriors in the Hall include baseball coach Tom Frizzell (2011), soccer player Flemming Petersen (2006), soccer player John Macaroco (1995) and soccer coach Nick Palantzas (1995).

Founded in 1966, Massasoit Community College offers students from southeastern Massachusetts and beyond access to more than 60 associate degree and certificate programs across arts, sciences, applied sciences, healthcare and technology at locations in Brockton, Canton, Middleborough and online. More than 8,000 students enroll for credit at Massasoit each year; another 1,500 students annually enroll in non-credit community education or workforce development courses.

Typically, more than 800 students graduate from Massasoit with an associate degree or certificate each year. Massasoit students are given access to wraparound services provided on campus to support their success inside and outside the classroom.

This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.